Re: PDP and Kebbi 2015: Before it is too late

Ironically and interestingly too, these critics consist of not only the traditional opposition parties but also within the PDP, where he rightly belongs. In many cases and at the slightest opportunities, he has received incredible condemnations in the media, obviously with a view to destabilising and distracting him. His detractors have resorted to sentimental criticisms […]

Ironically and interestingly too, these critics consist of not only the traditional opposition parties but also within the PDP, where he rightly belongs. In many cases and at the slightest opportunities, he has received incredible condemnations in the media, obviously with a view to destabilising and distracting him.
His detractors have resorted to sentimental criticisms and campaign of calumny that are often illogical. These critics were aided and abated by some disgruntled and mischievous members of the PDP. In their blind fury they considered him as a serious threat to their insatiable and unjustifiable quest for power. In their desperation, they resolved that since they could not beat his political prowess, buy over the support of the masses in spite of the enormous resources at their disposal, and since the governor is not by any means a media warrior and publicist, they should forcefully drag him into the media war. Consequently, they employed the services of some faceless spin doctors, with a view to dragging the governor to the cleaners.
Recently, one of those hired spin doctors authored a somewhat amateurish campaign of blackmail on page 22 of Sunday Trust of September 14, 2014. The article, which was entitled, “The PDP and Kebbi 2015: Before it is too late,” was purportedly written by one Barrister Ibrahim D. Usman. It was initially ignored, but the writer raised some slightly distorted views and assertions that I partially agreed with.
He dwelled so much on recounting the political manoeuvres that saw the emergence of Saidu Dakingari as governor of Kebbi State, but deliberately declined to mention whether or not Dakingari has committed a crime by accepting to become governor based on the public trust and confidence in him. He equally failed to mention whether Dakingari has failed to justify the confidence reposed in him after the mandate.
I concurred largely with the writer’s assertion, that prior to 2007, Saidu Dakingari was a political “dark-horse”, just as I do know that his being a political novice did not in any way affect his official conduct nor marred his efforts in piloting the affairs of the state.
Isn’t it funny that the writer, who claims to be a lawyer, became blind to the fact that every master was a one-time beginner and novice in his chosen career? Or does he need to be reminded that all the past chief executives of the state were political “neophytes” before they were elected? Take the first executive governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, Garkuwan Yauri and the immediate past governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Adamu Aliero as examples. What was their political experience before they were elected? I put it to Barrister Ibrahim and his sponsor that the same political novice and “dark-horse”, Alhaji Dakingari has made a spectacular political history as one of the greatest political heroes in Nigeria, and actually, the greatest ever produced in Kebbi State. Why? His name has gone down the political history. In 2011, he became the first civilian governor ever elected unopposed. That was apart from the uncommon and unrivalled achievements
of his administration in the areas of effective and efficient service delivery and provision of dividends of democracy to the people.
I quite agree with the writer that politicians of impeccable character and track records abound within the PDP family at the local government level. They also abound within the state and the National Assembly and even amongst the rank and file of the political elite.
I also expected the writer to explain how the availability of competent candidates deprives the governor of personal and constitutional liberty to choice and preference. Perhaps he needs to be told that there is a great distinction between competence, eligibility and trustworthiness. And what Kebbi people ardently need today is a trusted, dependable, honest, competent and God-fearing governor, not a morally bankrupt and political gladiator who sponsors blackmail to ease his way to the Government House.
It is annoying that anybody would attempt to drag our highly revered traditional rulers into the murky waters of politics. I believe in their franchise and personal liberty to support whoever they consider fit to hold public trust. I also believe in their roles as fathers to offer advice on important issues such as the choice of governor, but not with threat and intimidation as the writer mischievously alleged.
Like many state chief executives, past and present, Governor Dakingari has the utmost desire and power to anoint his preferred successor. He is highly principled and extremely cautious. He is a man of integrity, sound intellectual and spiritual background who could not possibly attempt to smuggle a successor without consultations within and outside the state.
Overtime, there have been reports of immense and overbearing pressure from lobbyists, godfathers and powerbrokers at high levels to impose certain elements as successor to Governor Dakingari. There was also a strenuous effort to intimidate, entice and even blackmail him to submission without success. He vehemently stood his ground until recently when he promised to present a dummy of loyal and competent politicians to the public for scrutiny and endorsement. It is heart-warming therefore, that presently, all doors remain open, the playing ground remains level and equal opportunities accorded to all the political gladiators to test their grounds.
The PDP is not contesting elections to lose; hence there is no need to be in a hurry, after all, it is better late than never.
Mungadi is an Abuja-based journalist and political analyst.
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